Author Archives: Jeff

Apr 28

Google adds Street View time machine

Posted on Monday, April 28, 2014, at 12:05 PM by Jeff

This was sort of under the radar, but the Wall Street Journal and CNET picked up on it. Google added something I had wondered about recently: For places that have had the Street View camera go through multiple times, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Maps | Comments Off on Google adds Street View time machine
Apr 26

The secret almost-histories of IA 401 and 412

Posted on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 1:32 PM by Jeff

The DOT’s document archive is a wealth of information, most of the dry engineering type, but also more about signs and construction maps. Through that, I discovered one thing I never knew and one I wondered about in Iowa’s 400-series … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on The secret almost-histories of IA 401 and 412
Apr 25

Anyone want to buy a bridge?

Posted on Friday, April 25, 2014, at 10:37 AM by Jeff

Tama County is fast losing its few remaining Pratt truss bridges from the beginning of the 20th Century. The latest bridge to be on the chopping block is one locally known as the Chambers Ford bridge, across the Iowa River … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Anyone want to buy a bridge?
Apr 24

New York Times discovers evidence of Brewers fans in Iowa

Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at 2:49 PM by Jeff

I thought they were a myth! The New York Times has an interactive “Map of Baseball Nation” that uses Facebook (ugh) data to drill down into Major League Baseball fan preferences by ZIP Code. Iowa is pretty much what you … Continue reading →

Posted in Maps, Sports | Comments Off on New York Times discovers evidence of Brewers fans in Iowa
Apr 24

I-74 project almost close enough to touch

Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at 11:00 AM by Jeff

May 22, 2012: This view of I-74 into Illinois will still be what drivers see until sometime in 2019-20. The Quad-City Times breaks down the current construction timeline  in the five-year plan for the I-74 bridge in an article from Monday. … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on I-74 project almost close enough to touch
Apr 23

Last weeks at Clearfield school (Hey, that picture looks familiar)

Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at 1:42 PM by Jeff

KMA Radio has a story about the end of the school year approaching for the small southern Iowa district of Clearfield, which will dissolve. The story includes a photo of the school — my photo of the school, which I … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Last weeks at Clearfield school (Hey, that picture looks familiar)
Apr 22

Altoona’s Archer Motel torn down

Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at 6:28 PM by Jeff

If you’re familiar with Hubbell Avenue heading out of Des Moines, the old, non-chain motels there are a reminder of pre-interstate times, when it was a primary way in and out of town. Three motels were clustered at the intersection … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Altoona’s Archer Motel torn down
Apr 22

Ultimate list of Iowa movies

Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at 11:25 AM by Jeff

On this website I have a list of all the times I know about Iowa mentions or settings in various forms of entertainment, but it looks like I’ve been one-upped. Way upped. The Des Moines Register reprints a much, much … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Ultimate list of Iowa movies
Apr 21

Railroad in Marshall, Hardin counties abandoned

Posted on Monday, April 21, 2014, at 1:48 PM by Jeff

This 1875 map shows the recently abandoned railroad through Albion in the recently dissolved Iowa Township in Marshall County. On the south side of Albion, a little more than a decade after an at-grade railroad crossing replaced a very old … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Railroad in Marshall, Hardin counties abandoned
Apr 18

Mediacom is charging a sales tax on franchise fees

Posted on Friday, April 18, 2014, at 11:24 AM by Jeff

One peril of auto-pay: You never know when or how you’ll be nickel-and-dimed. So this actually started with my November cable/Internet bill. “We have recently reviewed our federal, state, and local tax collection process, and have made updates in accordance … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Mediacom is charging a sales tax on franchise fees